Trio arrested over jewellery raids could face further charges

Three Halifax men who were arrested by police investigating a spate of jewellery shop raids in West Yorlshire could face further charges, a court has heard.

The trio were charged by police in the wake of three robberies at premises in Brighouse, Halifax and Hebden Bridge in June and today they made their first appearance before a crown court judge via a prison video link.

William Cochrane, 38, and Richard Cochrane, 37, appeared before Bradford Crown Court via a link to HMP Doncaster whe they are currently remanded while their co-accused Scott Lister, 29, took part in the proceedings via a link to HMP Hull where he is detained.

All three men are currently charged with robbery offences in relation to two raids in Brighouse and Halifax in the space of three days.

On June 28 robbers targeted the Kingston Diamond Merchants’ store in Old Market Street, Halifax and on June 30 the force helicopter and four police cars were reported to have rushed to the scene of another raid at Neimantas Jewellers in Commercial Street, Brighouse.

During today’s hearing before Judge Jonathan Rose, prosecutor Clare Walsh revealed that the defendants could face a further charge in relation to a third robbery which is alleged to have taken place in Hebden Bridge on June 24.

Miss Walsh said the prosecution were also considering whether to add a charge of conspiracy to the indictment against the three men.

Barrister Adrian Farrow, for all three defendants, estimated that their trial could last more than five days and Judge Rose confirmed that it would be listed on December 12.

The judge ordered that the men, who remain in custody, should take part in a further pre-trial hearing via a prison video link on October 28.

None of the robbery charges were formally put to the defendants today and they were not asked to enter their pleas to the allegations.